After road work, Date arrives to his gym has his coach bring him two sparring partners from weight classes above him. Nakadai explains to Okita that Date is attempting to surpass the level he had when he was in his prime six years prior when he challenged the world. Date easily defeats the much heavier opponent and begins feeling pain from the scar on his nose.

After training, Ippo goes over to Takamura's place in order to watch Date's match against Ricardo Martinez. They find a magazine with pictures of the match, and Takamura briefly tells Ippo the events leading to Date's retirement. He also states that despite being who he was when younger, Date can no longer win at his age. Ippo however believes that he fact that he is trying so hard after all that time, makes Date even more fearsome.

Later that night, Date is remembering with Nakadai how they went to Mexico, and how his scar always throbs reminding him of his defeat at the hands of the champion.